Term | Definition |
circuit | the area of jurisdiction of a federal court of appeals |
jurisdiction | a courts authority to hear and decide cases |
exclusive jurisdiction | authority of only federal courts to hear and decide cases |
concurrent jurisdiction | authority for both state and federal courts to hear and decide cases |
district court | federal court where trials are held and lawsuits are begun |
original jursdiction | the authority to hear cases for the first time |
appeals court | a court that reviews decisions made in lower district courts |
appellate jurisdiction | the authority of a court to hear a case appealed from lower court |
remand | to send a case back to a lower court to be tried again |
opinion | a detailed explanation of the legal thinking behind a courts decisions in a case |
precedent | a ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later similar case |
judicial review | the power of the supreme court to say whether any federal state or local law or government action goes against the constitution |
constitutional | in accordance with the constitution |
docket | a courts calender showing the schedule of cases it is to hear |
brief | a written document explaining the position of one side or the other in case |
majority opinion | a statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case |
unanimous opionin | the supreme court rules on a case in which all justices agree on the ruling |
concurring opinion | a statement written by a justice who votes with the majority but for different reasons |
dissenting opinion | a statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion presenting his or her opinion |
stare decisi | the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases |